Exchange Examiner

How to Withdraw From Coinbase and Send Crypto

By the Exchange Examiner editorial team · Updated 2026-11-02 · How we research · Affiliate disclosure

Short answer: To cash out, sell your crypto for USD, then withdraw to your linked bank account. ACH withdrawals have no Coinbase fee and typically take 3–5 business days; instant cash-out to an eligible debit card is faster but charges a fee shown before you confirm. To send crypto, use Send, choose the asset and network, and paste the address. Sends to other Coinbase users by email, phone or username are instant and free; sends to outside wallets pay a network fee.

How to withdraw money from Coinbase to your bank

  1. Sell to cash. Sell the crypto you want to cash out into your USD balance. On the simple screen you'll pay a spread and fee; on Coinbase Advanced you pay a maker/taker fee instead. See Coinbase fees explained.
  2. Tap Withdraw (or Cash out). Choose your USD balance as the source.
  3. Pick a destination. Your linked bank account (ACH), an eligible debit card for instant cash-out, PayPal where supported, or a wire.
  4. Enter the amount and review. The preview shows any fee and the expected arrival time.
  5. Confirm. You may need to approve with 2-step verification.

Cash-out options compared

MethodSpeedCost
ACH to bankTypically 3–5 business daysNo Coinbase fee
Instant cash-out (debit card)Much faster than ACHA fee applies, shown before you confirm; up to $100,000 per transaction
PayPalFast, where supportedCheck the preview screen
WireUsually faster than ACHCoinbase may charge a wire fee; waived for Coinbase One Preferred/Premium (domestic US)

The best way to withdraw money from Coinbase is usually ACH if you can wait a few days, because it's free. Use instant cash-out only when speed is worth the fee. More on each method in Coinbase payment methods.

How to send bitcoin from Coinbase

  1. Get the receiving address. In the destination wallet or exchange, choose Receive for bitcoin and copy the address. Confirm which network it uses.
  2. Tap Send in Coinbase. Choose bitcoin (BTC) and enter the amount.
  3. Paste the address and choose the network. Paste, don't type, and check the first and last several characters match.
  4. Review the network fee. Coinbase shows the fee and the amount the recipient will get.
  5. Send a test first for large amounts. A small test transaction costs another network fee but protects against expensive mistakes.
  6. Confirm with 2-step verification. On-chain transactions can't be reversed once sent.

Moving coins to your own wallet? Our wallets guide and Coinbase Wallet vs Coinbase explain self-custody.

Coinbase-to-Coinbase sends: instant and free

If the recipient has a Coinbase account, you can send to their email address, phone number or Coinbase username. These sends happen off-chain inside Coinbase, so they're instant and have no network fee. If you send to an email that doesn't have a Coinbase account, the recipient gets an invitation; if it isn't claimed within 30 days, the funds return to you.

Network fees and the cost of sending crypto

When you send to an external address, the transaction goes on the blockchain and a network fee (sometimes called a gas or miner fee) applies. It goes to the network, not to Coinbase as a trading fee, and varies by coin, network and congestion. There's no fixed "Coinbase transfer fee"; the Send screen shows the cost before you confirm. Sending a token on a cheaper network (such as a layer-2 like Base, where both sides support it) can cost far less than Ethereum mainnet.

Holds: why you can't withdraw or send yet

If you recently bought crypto with a bank transfer or deposited by ACH, Coinbase may place a hold before you can send that crypto off-platform or cash out. You can usually still trade it on Coinbase during the hold. Hold length depends on factors including your account history. Your available balance (what you can withdraw or send now) can therefore be lower than your total balance.

Open orders on Coinbase Advanced can also tie up funds; see limit vs stop orders.

How to increase your Coinbase limits

Limits on buying, depositing, withdrawing and sending vary by location, payment method and account history. To see yours, go to Settings > Limits in the app. Common ways to raise them:

Contact support only through the official Coinbase help center. Anyone who DMs you offering to "raise your limits" is a scammer.

Before you cash out, ask why

Many people sell in a hurry after a sharp drop, then buy back after prices recover. That pattern costs far more than any withdrawal fee. If you're cashing out because of a scary headline rather than a plan, read why investors buy high and sell low and crypto market cycles first. For the broader picture, return to the Coinbase review.

FAQ

How long does it take to withdraw from Coinbase to a bank?

ACH withdrawals typically take 3–5 business days. Instant cash-out to an eligible debit card is usually much faster but charges a fee.

How much does it cost to send bitcoin from Coinbase?

Sending to an external bitcoin address costs a network fee that varies with congestion; Coinbase shows it before you confirm. Sending to another Coinbase user by email, phone or username is free.

Why can't I withdraw from Coinbase?

Usually because of a hold on recent bank-funded purchases or deposits, funds tied up in open orders, or account limits. Check your available balance and Settings > Limits.

How do I send crypto to another wallet from Coinbase?

Copy the receiving address from the other wallet, tap Send in Coinbase, choose the asset and the matching network, paste the address, review the fee and confirm.

What happens if I send crypto on the wrong network?

The funds may be lost or require a difficult recovery process, depending on the destination. Always confirm the destination supports the exact asset and network before sending.

Sources

Related guides

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